Chrismas Dec the 25 1862
December, 25, 1862
Good morning Charlotte. I wish you a merry chrismas. This is chrismas day but it dont seam much like it to me here in the woods. I dont see much of eney thing good to eat here but I had quite a good breackfast this morning. We drawed bread last knight and beef and I fried some meat and made a cup of coffee and eat a harty meal but if I had some of them cakes and saucage and butter it would taste right good to day since it is chrismas but I guess I will get along. I hope you and Maty have got something good to eat. I wrote one sheet yesterday morning and then I washed my clothes. It took me most all day. I had three shirts and two pairs of drawers and I washed two shirts for the ordely so I had quite a large wash and my clothes were verry dirty. We haint had a chance to wash in a good while. Some of the boys are lousey as can be but I have been luckey I haint had eney yet. The colonel and some of the captains went away yesterday. The story is that they have gone to pick out a place for us to go and stay this winter. The news came here yesterday that the soldiers was all agoing into winter quarters. If they do we shal be somewhere about Washington. I think there will be a setelment made betwene this and spring. If we go in winter quarters I shal sentently think this war is over. There is a great maney of the boys deserts. There was twelve or fifteene gone out of our regement since we started from Bolivar. I dont think I ever can come home until I am honerbly discharged. I came here to fight for my country and are willing to do it. I am willing to endure eneything if I can onely go home when the war is over. I like soldiering well if I could onely see you once and a while. That is the hardest part of it. If I could see you and Maty once a week I would like soldiering. Charlotte you may write to John Mcand and see what they say about taking the place back. Tell them where I am and how it is. I cant write again until I get some papers and stamps. This letter takes all my paper and the last stamp but I guess I can borrow some to write on a letter. You may send me some writing meteirels if you please.
From Chas to Charlotte
Ciss Maty for me.